hp to max load

[chicken louie]

how much of a boat should i get for my 1976 55 horse jet, i have been looking at the jon boats with a modified v i expect to be carrying about 1000# or so with the motor included.<br />the jon boats i have been looking at range from 400# to 795# i want the boat for fishing rivers and some moderate sized lakes.<br />i dont know how much of a push the erude will give me with the jet.<br />the jon boat offers the most room and the biggest planing hull from the research i've done.

 

[chicken louie]

Re: hp to max load

i know i should post this under boats but i trust the opinions of this forum and i really need to know how much payload i can expect to get out of my motor.

 

[JB]

Re: hp to max load

Same guys, Louie.<br /><br />Their opinions are just as good on the Boats forum as here, and Boats is where boat questions belong.<br /><br />Moving it. Good luck

 

[roscoe]

Re: hp to max load

If you plan on carrying 1000#, you should be looking at boats that are rated to carry that much, not 400 to 795#.<br /><br />The motor, gas, battery, and you, is already 500#.

 

[fireman57]

Re: hp to max load

Louie, I have a 50hp Johnny on a 14.5ft fiberglass runabout that works well. It is a little fast for me (35mph) as I'm a little chicken too. I run the Ohio and the V on the front takes the barge and wind waves very well. The splash deck on back is excellent too. Look for a 15 ft fiberglass. They are cheap if you get into the older ones. They have live wells and storage and are very serviceable crafts for not much money. Be sure and put the safety bolt through the transom as you wouldn't want to lose that engine.

 

[chicken louie]

Re: hp to max load

sorry misunderstanding there the boats weigh that much and are rated to carry the load i need i just want to know if i should go with a 16 , 17 , or an 18 foot jon boat i dont want to be underpowered

 

[roscoe]

Re: hp to max load

Go with the smallest and lightest that is capable of handling the 55hp. As you are already down aroound 40hp because of the jet unit.<br /><br /><br /> UNless you are planning on buying a bigger motor in a year or two.<br /><br />I have a 16' alum that weighs 750, plus motor (200#), gas, batteries, gear, and two adults, total about 1600. I wouldn't want anything less than the 70hp I have. So I would say to find one in the 400-500# range.

 

[chicken louie]

Re: hp to max load

roscoe<br />is your boat a flatbottom like the john boat?<br />it has a 6 degree deadrise and is 52" wide at the bottom with a 75" beam on the 16foot boat, and the 17foot boat is 56" wide at the bottom with a 77" beam.<br />the 16foot boat weighs 360# with a 1205# capacity.<br />the 17foot weighs 750# with a 1115# capacity.<br />i dont know what the beam thing means.<br />i have seen jon boats haulin @%# on t.v. but i dont need major speed i just want to be able to manouver well and plane properly and easily.<br />i think 1000# is the most i would ever have on board including motor and everything.<br />i am having a hard time deciding on the 16 or the 17 foot boat.<br />sorry about the long post.

 

[chicken louie]

Re: hp to max load

the 16 foot is rated @ 60 horse, and the 17 foot rated @ 80 horse thats the max my question is whats the minimum i geuss.

 

[roscoe]

Re: hp to max load

Mine is an aluminum semi-v hull, 8 degree deadrise I think, only goes 32mph with a real light load. Very similar dimensions.<br /><br />My concern would be having enough hp to deal with the extra weight of the 17'.<br /><br />Most here would recommend using 80% or more of the boats rated hp.<br /><br />The 17' rated at 80hp, 80% of that is 64hp, or more.<br />The 16' rated at 60hp, 80% of that is 48hp, or more.<br /><br />Now factor in the loss in usable hp your motor loses due to the jet drive, approximately 30% +. And you end up with less than 40 usable hp, to power the boat. <br /><br />I don't think I would go with the 17' and be that underpowered, unless it is the boat of your dreams, AND you plan on buying a bigger moter for it in the near future.<br /><br />Check out the Roughnecks and jon boats on this site:<br /><br /> http://www.lowe.com/fishboats/roughneck-jons/

 

[chicken louie]

Re: hp to max load

thanks roscoe,<br />so my motor should be a 38 horse with the 30% power loss from the jet would it get the 16 foot boat rated for a 60 horse on plane with less of a load.<br />its capacity is 1205#, and i dont think i would be that heavy, maybe 1000#.<br />and speed is not an issue.<br />as long as i can get on plane and go upstream

 

[roscoe]

Re: hp to max load

It should, but only a water trial will tell you if you will be happy with it.